To Love and Avenge

"MOM! No MOM! Please don't...!" A scream that could be heard throughout the whole house in the middle of the night is loud enough that would surely wake everyone up from a slumber. A kind of scream accompanied by searing pain- a cry that was full of grief and anguish that whoever heard it would surely shudder in fear. Come to think of it, it has been happening for more than a decade and it has become a norm for everyone that lives there. However, those that are new to it will be horrified. Hence, they barely change new house employees to avoid implications. Rushing into her room were her two older brothers and her dad, anxious. When will they ever get used to it? Will they ever be? "Ale!" He called in between panting as soon as he opened the door while he reached to turn the lights on. Next to him were her two older brothers, whose rooms were just next to hers; and across was her dad's. They have it arranged this way because of this. "You're dreaming again!" her dad, the moment he came to her side. He quickly pulled her into his embrace protectively as he rubbed her back soothingly. Ale, who was sweating heavily, gasped convulsively in between cries. She buried herself on her father's shoulder to seek comfort. However, nothing is comforting for her unless she finds justice for her mother's misfortune. Feeling his daughter's pain, he once again swore to compel his promise to her. The only lead they got committed suicide the moment he was discovered. So, for the moment, he can only share his daughter's pain and struggles. It pained him to see his daughter dream of it again and again. Traumatizing her. Dreams like this have always happened to her for almost a decade and a half now. It had always been the same, it had been a long time ago, but it seemed to her to have just happened recently. "It has been almost 15 years but it still lingers and it keeps on coming back, hunting me." She mumbles, still gasping for air due to heavy crying. "It always screamed for justice," she said as she clung to her father's arms as if her life depended on it. She had even undergone many traumatic treatments in and out abroad. Yet, nothing happened, it didn't help her manage the trauma, even ease the pain. "Only if I was there. Only... Things would have been different. This wouldn't have happened." he said mournfully. He shifted his gaze down as the tears started to fall, keeping them from the sight of everyone. Being a crying day won't help their situation, so he has to appear strong and able in front of them. However, they know how he has been carrying the guilt, they just pretended not to notice it. It always pained them to see him like that. He may be tough and capable in the eyes of many, but he was, too, a mourning husband and had to be a protective father who was left to aid his three children after that incident. They all knew that behind that facade was a hurting man, who also had been screaming for justice. "Your mother was so brave. Always know that. Things always happen for a reason.’’ he continued. They all looked at him as he smiled painfully. "Then, I wonder what reason there could be," She asked in a barely audible voice. She looked up at him expectantly, waiting for his reaction. It has always been her unanswered question. Why? Why she? Why does it have to be her mother? And many more why's have been running endlessly in her confused mind. Her heart bleeds so much that it makes her go numb. While still hiding the pain, he patted her head and said, "One-day dear, all your questions will be answered. For now, try to let go. loosen up and slowly move on. It has happened for a long time already." "But when?" she stubbornly asked, clearly, she didn't like to give up. "That we don't know yet. Maybe at the right time." shaking his head, he looked at them- all three of them with sorrow in his eyes. The two young men nodded in agreement, but she doubted if they had moved on too. 'How could that be easy for them?' She thought, but if they really did, then, she would be glad for them. She just doubts herself about it. She hates to be pitied. She doesn't want them to look at her that way. No one should pity her. Her mom was in the military until she married her dad. On her last assignment, where she led the conducted operation and eventually brought down the drug syndicate group. She accidentally shot the syndicate's head to death. However, the pregnant wife, after that, went missing, leaving their two children alone abroad. No one knew then her whereabouts and if she escaped alive or what. And it all started there. Then that fateful night happened... Ale was kidnapped and held captive so they could get back to Esther- the woman behind the shootout. That wasn't actually her fault, but they put it that way. They wanted to take revenge on her account personally then. They wanted her to experience it like one that happened to their family. What Ale and Esther encountered that night was something that had been thoroughly planned by the eldest son. To make them live their lives a miserable hell. A living hell, to be exact. And Ale now badly wanted to do the same to them too. To Avenge. "She was long gone, yes, but, it always kept on coming back to me like 'twas just yesterday." She smiled bitterly, biting her lips at the memory while tears fell abundantly. Then, her two brothers, who were sitting next to her, held each of her hands warmly, assuring her that everything would be fine someday. However, reassurance was never what she wanted. It was never ever enough. That's the least she expected. She always wanted results. After a few moments of cuddling with her dad, she later remembers that she still had something very important to discuss with them. Something that will help lay their pains. Silence engulfed the whole room until she managed to break it. Mustering every courage she has, she will have her revenge even if it takes a lifetime. Even if it takes hers too. They took my mom away from me, then, I vowed that one day, I would take everything that they had and send them all to hell. Make them suffer as much as we have. I won't permit life to leave them or mine unless... "Dad, I have something important to tell you." She started in a very low voice while closing her eyes to hold back the tears. "Hmm?" Her dad only hummed, waiting for her to proceed. "I don't want to hide this from you.’’ She later said. Breaking from his embrace, she wipes her tears away. "Say it, Ale, you're making us nervous.’’ Daven, our eldest, spoke so lightly, yet worriedness in his eyes was very evident. She smiled at him bitterly and continued... "I wanted to be in service just like mom," I announced, looking at them one after the other. However, their reactions told me how disagreeable it can be. Moreover, they have made it clear that no one should set foot in this kind of job after mom. "Oh no. Oh my God, you can't be serious." Daven quickly disagreed in an exaggerated voice. "If mom were here she sure would be furious,’’ Allen said in disbelief while shaking his head profusely. She knew that they would strongly disagree with this, but still, for her, she must not let anyone hinder her plans. "Dad, I've already made up my mind. I want to continue what was there that she left. I will finish whatever she'd started." I strongly stated, very firm at it while looking directly into his eyes, pretending that I didn't hear Allen at all. "Ale, I'm sorry honey, but I won't permit you to do that. Not now, not ever!" Her dad said with strong defiance, but in a very ardent way. He had been very careful with his words around her, as she might take it the other way. "I already have our men dealing with it, okay? All you have to do is focus on yourself,” he seriously continued to note. She nodded but deep inside her, she couldn't seem to accept it. “Dad, it has been so long, but nothing happened. I doubt if they were doing it. I'd only be at peace if I served justice myself. It's tearing me inside, and it's tiring. Please, dad, allow me this time.” She pleaded, insisting on her heart's desires. Her heart was enraged. “I have promised your mom Ale, I'm not letting you in any way, and it's final-" "But Dad..." She cut him off, exclaimed, and was displeased by his decision.